Sonora Reyes delivers another powerful story in this sequel (kind of) to The Lesbiana’s Guide, this time centering on Cesar. Filled with emotional depth, the novel explores themes of self-worth, mental health, and religious conflict. I loved this book and I can't wait to read more from Reyes :)

This was a heavy novel. Even heavier than Yami's story.

I think Reyes wrote Cesar as an unreliable narrator in a really skillful way. The reader knows he's reading into things and seeing "signs" that aren't actually there because of his mental illness and is just along for the ride as he makes really harmful choices. As a reader, it's frustrating to see him hurting so many of his loved ones, but Cesar himself continuously wishes for them to not treat him with kid gloves and be super forgiving of his behavior. It makes for a story that's hard to read, but incredibly necessary.

I really loved the addition of the abuela and seeing more of Doña Violeta's story. The scene where Cesar's grandmother gives him her email address actually made me tear up. She was such a great character in terms of representing the older queer community and someone surviving with bipolar disorder. Moni wasn't a character I connected to as much, but I liked that she was there for Cesar.

Jamal is a gift. I loved him in the first book and he was extremely forgiving and understanding here. I wasn't sure, but I thought there were hints that he may be autistic here. Unless I missed a confirmation or something in the first book.

I thought Hunter and Avery's story was interesting. The religious guilt was the heaviest part of this book for me. It was handled with a lot of sensitivity, though.

Overall, I enjoyed so much of this book. There were points that I lost interest because I felt like we were going in circles a bit. Not behavior wise - from what I studied in university, the symptoms of bipolar disorder and the cycles were conveyed very well. However, I felt like some of his inner monologue's could've been trimmed a bit, personally. Definitely a recommend from me though. This was an emotional ride, but the story is so important and I liked what it said about living for the little moments of heaven.

Thank you, Sonora Reyes and HarperCollins, for the ARC! I've loved Sonora's writing since I read "The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School" and was so excited to get this Arc because of the representation! I will add a trigger warning that there are mentions of suicide in the book. 

Reading about Cesar's struggle with his mental health and then trying to be this perfect student, son, brother, friend, and keep a relationship with God hit me so hard. I couldn't help seeing some similarities between him and me, and some of the things I went through in high school and after graduating. I understood it so much, and as he spiralled even more, I couldn't help but think about my experience and how bad it was for me. I also really loved that Sonora gave voices to Cesar's friends and family to see how they handled what was happening. But once everything came out and Cesar finally talked, it was such a huge relief seeing all his friends and family talk and have conversations about what they needed from each other. It's so cheesy, but communication is so important and being there to listen and talk is sometimes overlooked. 

What hit my feelings when Cesar's therapist told him that living to keep someone else from grieving is much more painful than living for the things that make you happy- It just hit me like a ton of bricks and brought me back to conversations that I had with others after I started getting more help and talking more, which brings me to the end. I'm so happy that Cesar finally accepted that he should talk about what he is going through instead of hiding. I know it took him forever to get there and accept that, but glad that he did and was working to change how he felt before. 

I 100% would read this again, and know a few people who would love to read this as well.

I love Cesar, I love Jamal, I loved revisiting Yami and her story. I loved the representation. I love how beautiful and messy these characters are. I love their love and I love the queer and mental health rep. Can’t wait for more by Reyes 🩷

4.5 stars. I appreciate Sonora Reyes' THE GOLDEN BOY'S GUIDE TO BIPOLAR in a deeply personal way. As a recovering Catholic and gay guy that was diagnosed with bipolar five years ago, this hit differently. I felt seen and understood by Reyes, and I'm just so happy that they are opening up such an important dialogue around mental illness, especially in the YA space. If I'd gotten my diagnosis at 17, I would've been WAY ahead of the game when it came to my own journey with bipolar - the meds, the self-acceptance, and all of the ups and downs that come with the territory. As Cesar discovers, embracing every facet of you is the real blessing, and as a former Catholic and someone who ate shame for breakfast, I also struggled to accept my own sexuality and mental issues for the longest time. Luckily, I've done the work to better myself, and I'm so glad that Cesar did too.

I loved to see the bisexual rep, and I thought that the bipolar rep was quite accurate. Feeling like everyone is walking on eggshells around you. Feeling like you're a burden to everyone, and believing people are secretly resenting you. (The lies our mental illness tells us.) What happens when anger boils up in you, and you just wanna lash out. Not showing up for yourself or not showering. Self-sabotaging because you believe that you don't deserve happiness or peace. It's all painfully true. But let Cesar's story be a hard lesson in what happens when you stop taking your meds. There's a reason why therapy and medication is at the forefront of easing bipolar symptoms, and let's just say that I can tell when I've missed my own dose. Like Cesar says, some brains are mentally stable for free, and some are stable with the help of a pharmacy, and it's nobody's f*cking business!

I hated to see Cesar struggle with accepting self-love and love from others, but I knew it was a part of his journey. I'm glad he had a strong support system around him, and I'm relieved he had authority figures with bipolar like his Abuela to help normalize the experience. It was nice to see that he eventually learned that he can be a brilliant golden boy, AND also struggle with his brain - it doesn't mean he's a head case, he's human. Cesar's story should give every bipolar and or queer person hope for a better life. Things might get dark and heavy, you might feel crazy, but at least you're crazy...and ALIVE. I still think it's absurd how society teaches us to judge those with mental illness, and how religion preaches that God would rather smite us than be our authentic selves. That's certainly not a God I want to ever pray to. There should be no shame about who you are, or discussing important matters like mental illness.

This is an excellent teaching tool in understanding what the bipolar experience can be like for any of the people in your life that are coping with it. A very special thanks to Harper Collins and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Wow!
I advanced read this book on Netgalley and it was an extremely emotional read. Reyes gives a voice to boys with mental health issues—something which is extremely under addressed—as well as queer people dealing with internalized homophobia everywhere. I was also very startled by the decisions Cesar made in this book regarding Bianca, but it was kind of overwhelming to see Yamie get some closure with her. If you enjoyed We Can Work It Out by Elizabeth Eulberg, chances are very likely you'll enjoy this book as well.

I appreciate Sonora Reyes so much. To write about the queer community, those who struggle daily with disabilities and mental health with such care and respect is so important.
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Also, what an amazing follow up to The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School. The Golden Boy’s Guide to Bipolar, Cesar Flores is coming to terms with his sexuality and his mental health diagnosis.
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“Seventeen-year-old Cesar Flores is finally ready to win back his ex-boyfriend. Since breaking up with Jamal in a last-ditch effort to stay in the closet, he’s come out to Mami, his sister, Yami, and their friends, taken his meds faithfully, and gotten his therapist’s blessing to reunite with Jamal.
Everything would be perfect if it weren’t for The Thoughts—the ones that won’t let all his Catholic guilt and internalizations stay buried where he wants them. The louder they become, the more Cesar is once again convinced that he doesn't deserve someone like Jamal—or anyone really.
Cesar can hide a fair amount of shame behind jokes and his “gifted” reputation, but when a manic episode makes his inner turmoil impossible to hide, he’s faced with a stark choice: burn every bridge he has left or, worse—ask for help.”
Thank you, NetGalley for the advanced copy!! Out September 16, 2025.


Goodreads: Brenda (jadore_2read)

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!

The companion book to The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School (which is definitely worth checking out) touches on some of the same issues, but raises some entirely new ones as well. Cesar is very similar to his sister in some ways, but very different in others.

As a queer individual who began my mental health journey in my teens, I found this book to be particularly relevant. It touches on a lot of aspects of learning about having a serious mental illness, therapy, hospitalizations, feeling you're a burden on friends and family, and difficulty with medications. It was an intense read and I had to put it down a few times to recenter myself. People who've gone on this journey will want to be prepared for some reminders. Same for those who had a difficult coming out journey. While the characters feel very real and honest, it can bring up some things you weren't necessarily thinking about day to day.

I'd recommend this book to just about anyone who has an interest in stories about living with mental illness and the journey to self acceptance, whether as someone with mental illness, someone who is queer, or those who have made similar journeys with disabilities and other life defining issues.

This is a wonderful book and Sonora Reyes does a fabulous job of weaving great storytelling with the symptoms of bipolar disorder. This book is told from the point of view of Cesar, a bi teen attending a Catholic high school and struggling with his mental health. Cesar has already been institutionalized once, and he's hoping to get his life back on track, reconnect with his ex boyfriend, and not let anyone tell him that he's "crazy". That would be well and good if Cesar was taking his meds regularly, and being open with the people in his life, his therapist included. Instead, he stops taking his meds after he doesn't think they're helping, and that they might actually be brainwashing him. Then there's the issue of his Catholic guilt. Cesar was told during confessionals that he's a sinner because he loves a man, and that if he doesn't change his ways he'll go to hell. Cesar decides that the only way to save his soul and go to heaven is to push everyone in his life away by making them hate him. Then when God calls him home, he can die without hurting anyone. Sounds like a simple plan right? What could possibly go wrong?

This book takes readers on a journey into Cesar's mind as he deals with all that is going on inside his head and out. I highly recommend this book.

I had high hopes and this book deliveried. It’s a focus on Cesar and discovering his own manic bipolar disorder as well as his relationship with religion and his sexuality. I love the characters, they all felt so alive-even the side characters felt fully fleshed out. This is the first book I’ve read focusing on manic bipolar disorder and I believe it was very well done especially because we get the story from Cesar and we see what his going through his mind with these choices.

Loved the short chapters. Great writing from Reyes as always.

I feel kind of silly for not having read Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School yet. But after loving The Luis Ortega Survival Club and now completely falling for The Golden Boy’s Guide to Bipolar, it’s definitely shooting to the top of my TBR.

I started my last review with “oh Sam,” and I could honestly start this one with “oh Cesar.” Sometimes I read a book that makes me hold my breath the entire time, wanting to scream “NO, NO, NO,” while a stone lodges itself behind my ribs. This was one of those books. It felt so personal and real—and all those chapter names with their subtitles gave me even more chills.

I was on the edge of my seat the whole time, and the deeper I got, the more the tears started to gather behind my eyes. But the book is also hopeful, and I think it’s so important to end a story about mental illness on a hopeful note.

Cesar’s story is raw and messy and beautiful, and my heart ached so much for him. But also for Jamal—that boy! I love him so, so much. All the side characters felt incredibly real too, and I really hope Sonora Reyes writes a third book in this universe. I’m already rooting for a new couple, with a complicated, messy story of their own.

Wow this was an interesting read. I wouldn't say it was always enjoyable but I think that was the point. It was a super accurate portrayal of mental illness and how frustrating it could be in Cesar's head when you just wanted him to make a better choice. I loved the chapter titles and how they gave insight in to what Cesar thought about himself. I loved all the side characters as well and cried multiple times.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was somehow my first Sonora Reyes book but it definitely won’t be my last! As a bisexual bipolar person I was so excited for this book — and it fully delivered. Watching Cesar explore his sexuality, his mental health, and his religious beliefs was so emotional and gratifying. The book was a beautifully vulnerable coming of age story with writing that made it a quick read and easy to really sink into the main character’s head and emotions. I’m so glad that a book like this is there for teens to read.

I think this will be an important book to some people, but it was not an enjoyable read for me. Cesar spends almost all of the book spiraling, off his meds, and pushing everyone away. While that’s certainly a realistic mental health experience for a lot of people, it makes for a really tense and upsetting read.

I love Sonora Reyes’ books and especially The Lesbiana’s Guide, so of course I HAVE to read it. And I love this too. I wanted to read this story so much when I was resting The Lesbiana’s Guide and I was not disappointed at all.
It’s a cute story with heavy themes. Stay safe.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the arc.

I absolutely adored this book. It was so relatable, and the characters warmed my heart. I really enjoyed Reyes' last novel so was really excited for this one. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a first look. I can't wait until this comes out. I gave this book 4.75/5 stars

this book felt like stepping back into a room full of old friends. complicated, messy, deeply human friends, but friends nonetheless. i was so happy to be back with yami, cesar and so many other familiar characters. this picks right up after LESBIANA, slipping us back into their world like no time had passed. but let’s be clear: while the book ends on a happy note, this is not a fun and easy read. it drags you through some heavy emotional terrain, and there were moments where i had to pause just to sit with everything it was unpacking.

the representation? raw, unflinching, and honest. this story doesn’t sugarcoat the complexities of identity, mental health, or relationships. it doesn’t shy away from the uncomfortable, the messy, or the moments where cesar isn't at his best. honestly, that made it all the more powerful. the emotions here aren’t neatly packaged. they sprawl, they contradict, they sting. but that’s what makes it real.

that said, the pacing did feel a little off in the middle. there was a lull where things slowed down more than they needed to, and i found myself waiting for the momentum to pick back up. it wasn’t a dealbreaker, but it did make the middle stretch drag just a bit before the story found its rhythm again.

so, if you’re looking for a light, breezy escape, this isn’t it. but if you want a story that makes you *feel*, that sits with you long after you turn the last page, this one delivers. i love that soni's books always make me feel this way.

i plan to reread lesbiana and golden boy before sharing my official thoughts publicly/with my audience. this was a HIGHLY anticipated read for me and i want to make sure i rate it fairly for them!

updated review to come, but likely with the same rating: 4.5 stars from me!!!!

This did some major emotional damage.

Where Lesbiana's Guide focuses on Yami's struggle with how her sexuality would impact her external relationships, Golden Boy's Guide focuses much more on Cesar's relationship with himself, and how his bisexuality, bipolar disorder, and faith interact.

This reads like a very natural extension of Lesbiana's Guide, both in voice and content, but it was a much harder read for me. I didn't want to put down Lesbiana's Guide because I was giggling, kicking my feet, etc. This book felt harder to put down because I didn't want to leave myself in the middle of Cesar's spiral. While Yami's story still navigated some really intense stuff, Cesar is lonelier and this book reflects that.

This story felt incredibly intimate, both with Cesar and with everyone we see in his life. I'm not sure I've ever read a book whose side characters manage to not just feel tangible and human, but so vulnerable. It's hard to read Cesar's spiral and all the ways he lashes out in the process, but Sonora Reyes is so successful at letting the reader understand him, and it's deeply satisfying to see him make it through that spiral and take some steps forward.

I'm still processing everything this made me feel and I feel mildly hungover from the emotional rollercoaster. But I loved this is a lot, and I loved getting to spend more time with these characters.

Follow Cesar Flores as he comes to terms with his sexuality, his new bipolar diagnosis, and more mistakes than he can count.

^from the publisher!

I will read anything that @sonora.reyes writes. After completely falling in love with Lesbiana’s Guide, I was STOKED to know that Cesar was getting his own story. What I did not know was how much his thoughts echoed many of my own.

Cedar had a lot of pressure on his shoulders and as you see him break down in this novel, you understand why. His heart is so big, and he really does believe others would be better off without him. I can so relate to this. Feeling like a burden, like you don’t deserve love, like you have to punish yourself. My heart was aching for him as he self destructed.

As someone who has a very complicated relationship with religion, I get where Cesar was coming from and I loved how Jamal and Abuela explained things.

The chapter titles and headings are incredible, by the way.

I loved getting to see so many characters from the first book and getting to know them even better. This book is a true gem and I cannot wait for everyone to experience the brilliance of it.